Residents don’t let snow slow them down

Sunday

Feb 10, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Andrea Bulfinchabulfinch@fosters.com

DOVER — As snow began to wind down on Saturday in communities across the Seacoast and Tri-City area, the Blizzard of 2013 continued to draw a certain resiliency out of local residents who ventured out into the feet-deep snow; a sense of community during a traditional New England snow storm.

Patrons were happy to see their local water holes and dining spots open for business despite the Blizzard of 2013 and its devastation to some. Servers and owners were just as delighted to see diners filling their seats and tables.

A bevy of specials were on tap at many a Central Ave. establishment, where steady flows of customers made their entrances and exits throughout the day to warm up from the cold and take a break from tackling the fruits of Mother Nature’s winter wrath.

The couple were taking a stroll over sidewalks that had been cared for by the city throughout the early morning hours and afternoon on Saturday, looking for a place where they could take refuge from the storm and it’s inconveniences for a few hours.

“I love snowstorms. I always come out downtown when we get hit in the winter,” Jason MacAlber said walking carefully near the Cocheco Mill buildings.

Having only been in the city for three seasons of winter as a Florida transplant, this was the first he remembered such “hype” over a blizzard.

“It’s great. The roads are empty. You can walk around. It’s like a big playground,” he said.

Sure enough, the roads were clear of motor vehicles save for city plows and private company plow trucks traveling to snow-packed destinations.

Though many restaurants were actually too busy by early evening Saturday to report on what sort of business volume the blizzard had brought through their doors, the steady number of people braving the streets by foot was a good indication that business was good.

“Of course [we came out]. This is New England in the winter,” Ronald Gaile said. “You can’t just stay on the couch.”

Trekking over Washington St., Emily and Kurt Xander, new residents to the city, wanted to check out the Barley Pub in its new location.

“We came here when we first moved to the city and really liked it,” they said.

Barley Pub owner, Scott Mason, said the blizzard had kind of turned business upside down through the storm from what the restaurant was used to. On the one hand, it was busy, on the other, it was not.

The pub had a really busy lunch Friday afternoon followed by what was shaping up to be a busy Saturday evening, once residents had enough of shoveling, Mason suspected.

“We’re busy now,” he said. “People are definitely coming out.”

One person was even seen trudging through the snow in snowshoes earlier in the day- a clear sign that no matter how much snow accumulated, there was no stopping at least some Dover residents from getting out and about.

According to WMUR reports, there was at least 19 inches that fell and accumulated over the Garrison City.

Kelley’s Row showed no signs of slowing down Saturday night, nor did Oriental Delight or Cartelli’s Bar and Grill.

Newer to the downtown core of eateries, the Spaghetti Stain was ready for those who were fearless and hungry enough to brave the cold, wind, and snow.

Though it seemed a little slower than usual Saturday night, owner Vinnie Silletta, said he didn’t want to lose any business due to the storm and decided to open the restaurant near the Cocheco River for the evening.

“We’ve gotta keep going,” he said.

In Portsmouth, the State Street Saloon took precautions Friday night for both its customers and employees and closed the establishment around midnight.

The restaurant reopened at 11 a.m. on Saturday and was packed all day and night.

“People love the snow. It’s never stopped them from coming out in it. And Nemo, who brought almost three feet of snow won’t stop people either. It’s been a great snowstorm for us,” bartender Kerri Hanley said Saturday night.

Looking out from his second story view in Dover, Silletta could see diner volume was about the same at Blue Latitudes next door and other neighboring establishments as it was at his restaurant, operated by himself and his sons, he said.

A couple regular customers filled the bar, and as Foster’s was checking in with him, more hungry patrons could be heard over the phone as they continued to come through the doors.

“We’re starting to see more people making movement,” he said, noting that it must be time to relax after a day of shoveling and “cabin fever.”

“It’s a pretty cool thing about downtown,” Mason said from the Barley Pub.

Even the high snowdrifts and bitter temperatures and windchills were no match for some dedicated and loyal residents.